Konotopie. They build a 55-meter monument to the Mother of God. “It was loud about our village”

Konotopie is a small, because they have only a slightly over one hundred inhabitants a village located in the Kikół commune right next to the national road number ten, on the Toruń – Lipno route. It is here that next summer will be the highest monument to Our Lady of Sorrows in the country. It will be higher than the monuments of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro (38.5 meters) and in Świebodzin (52.5 meters).

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To see the place where the monument is being built, we went to Konotopia. There we met with the village administrator of the village of Mieczysław Grębicki.

– Everyone is happy. We got loud about our village. It will be the largest building in the world of this type. Earlier, we were a bit known in the region of indulgences and sanctuary – says Mr. Mieczysław, who invited us to his home.

The Sanctuary of the Sorrowful Mother in Konotopia was founded in 2010 in the place of the ruined chapel from 1948. The founders are Grażyna and Roman (Krzysztof) Karkosików. Inside there is a 55-cm figure of Our Lady of Sorrows, which will reflect its reflection in the 55-meter monument in the emerging three meters away.

– Karkosik marriage has always been involved in many levels in our commune. Mrs. Grażyna can often be found in the church in Kikole – says the wife of Mr. Mieczysław sitting next to it.

In the region, Konotopie is known mainly thanks to the sanctuary and the indulgence, which takes place here every year in September. It also happens that many drivers stop here for a while to visit this place of worship out of curiosity. Mr. Mieczysław claims that it is the Mother of God who is in protection that keeps the inhabitants and protects them from various types of misfortunes.

– I know from hearing that there were a lot of healing miracles in our commune. I even know one of such people I went to school with. A friend had an accident at school. It was a serious back injury at the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. It was hopeless. He couldn't walk. Rehabilitation did not bring results either. The whole family at the forefront of him prayed for health. He recovered. Normally he walks now, he drives a car. I also include the miracles that we have no undesirable atmospheric phenomena. I repeat that the Mother of God always protects us – says Sołtys.

– It's just what we know, but we also know the example of one of the residents who had health problems. Doctors spread their hands. A very believing family. It so happened that the woman recovered – his wife echoes.

The construction of the monument has been going on for several weeks. The whole is to be ready in June/July 2026. Mr. Mieczysław, with whom we went to the construction site, even showed us a place where the monument was to be erected.

– Some say it will be placed, fenced and over. I don't quite agree with that. Parking lots and access must be made, because it will be hard to get through the village. In addition, some accompanying infrastructure. Maybe some mini bars. Probably some toilets will also appear. Every penny will leave a penny. It will be open all year round. What will happen when this monument will be ordained next summer. It will be a national event – emphasizes Mieczysław Grębicki.

The parish priest of Saint Wojciech's parish in Kikole Marek Mrówczyński was not too skin to talk to us about the investment. In a short telephone conversation, he only said to “believe that this work happened”. – Then we will all be happy – emphasized the priest.

The diocese of Włocławek also did not want to comment on this investment. – The construction of the monument is a private investment – says priest Krzysztof Rogala, chancellor of the Włocławek Curia.

In 2023, the Town and Commune Office in Kikole received a request for building conditions for the construction of a viewing site with the monument to the Mother of God together with the social and technical building and the utilities of the area. The project indicates the height of the building: a 15-meter crown with an elevator and a 40-meter monument to the Mother of God. The building permit was issued in October 2024. The planned completion date of the investment is 2026.